Two clubs that split their season series (one game apiece) last year, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes meet at PNC Arena. The action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 31, and fans at home are able to catch this East-West matchup live on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina (-145) is favored over Vegas (+125), and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -115 for the over and -105 for the under.
Even though their record stands at 29-21 straight up (SU), bettors taking the moneyline have accumulated 1.6 units by wagering on the Hurricanes this season. Among the team’s 50 games this season, 21 have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and none have pushed. The team is 17-9 SU at home this season.
Carolina’s converted on 21.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.
Carolina, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.1 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Boasting a .905 save percentage and 24.1 saves per game, Petr Mrazek (18-14-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Hurricanes this season. If they, however, decide to give him a rest, Carolina might go with James Reimer (11-9-9 record, .921 save percentage, 2.47 goals against average).
The Canes will continue to rely on offensive production from Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov. Teravainen (48 points) has tallied 10 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points 10 times this year. Svechnikov has 19 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 29 contests.
Vegas has lost 16.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 25-27 straight up (SU). Through 52 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. Vegas’ 11-14 SU as the visiting team this season.
Vegas has scored on 22.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for eighth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 18th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Vegas’ players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.1 per game over their last ten contests. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Marc-Andre Fleury (.907 save percentage and 2.86 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Vegas. Fleury is averaging 27.3 saves per game and owns a 19-17-4 record.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Golden Knights will be Max Pacioretty (21 goals, 26 assists) and Mark Stone (18 goals, 28 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Carolina is 3-0 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vegas is 3-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in each of Carolina’s last five outings.
- Two offenses that shoot the puck early and often, Vegas has taken the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.1) while Carolina has attempted the seventh-most (33.5).
- Vegas skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (27.7 per game).
